Children's Formation
Sundays
Sunday School/Godly Play
Our main curriculum for children ages 3-11 is Godly Play.
In Godly Play , children make meaning through story, wonder and play. Children hear the stories of God and God’s people and the stories about the Christian tradition and are then invited to wonder about them in words, play and in art responses. Godly Play teaches children (and adults!) to listen for God and respond to God’s call in our lives. Godly Play respects the innate spirituality of children and encourages curiosity and imagination in experiencing the mystery and joy of God.
Each year children move through stories of the Old and New Testaments, stories about why we do what do in the ways we do it (Advent, Lent, the Holy Eucharist, the Mystery of Easter, etc.) and the stories Jesus told – the parables.
Click here to learn more about Godly Play
Nursery
Nursery care is available downstairs, below the nave, just past the multipurpose room for children ages 0 through 5 years old. An experienced and caring team will keep your children through the formation hour and the later service. Please provide our nursery team members, Teresa and Kristy, with any supplies your child may need (diapers, snacks, drinks, favorite toys). Please sign your children in and out! If your child is not well or has trouble getting comfortable in the nursery one of the staff will find you to let you know.
Weekdays and Special Events
Trinity for Kids
Children in elementary school explore the stories of God and God’s people through art, movement and song at Trinity Kids. After a Godly Play story .and a feast are shared, kids rotate through art class, movement/yoga, and music class. Trinity Kids meets from 4:30 until 6 p.m. throughout the school year.
Wednesday Nights
After the Wednesday evening Eucharist and Shepherd’s Night Out, our shared meal in Talbird Hall, there is childcare for toddlers, preschool and elementary aged children.
Vacation Bible School
VBS is one of the best weeks of the year at Good Shepherd! Rising 4 year olds through rising 5th graders are invited to join in a week-long celebration of faith featuring song, skits, bible stories, crafts and games from 9 to noon each day. VBS is usually the first full week in June. Middle and high school students are welcome as volunteers.
Outdoor Christmas Pageant
The Sunday before Christmas, just after dark, the children of Good Shepherd present and outdoor live Christmas pageant. Children ages 3 through 11 are welcome to participate. There are 2-3 practices on Wednesdays in December.
Service opportunities
We believe strongly that children can be servant leaders in the congregation and in the world. It can be difficult to find opportunities for your children to be of service to others and we would like to help with that. Service to others is an important piece of our lives as Christians. Consider some of the ways your children might take part:
Family Promise
Many families volunteer together when we host the homeless four times a year- making and sharing a meal with the shelter house residents, playing games and doing crafts with the children in the evenings.
Christmas Tea
Every year we host a Christmas Tea at Thrive, a local assisted living facility. We sing carols and we bring goodies (which your kids can make), Christmas cards and good cheer.
Food Drives
At least once a year we have canned food drives to help restock the shelves of the food bank and Metropolitan Ministries. Children bring the food up to the altar along with the offering at Sunday services.
